A split image of white and red oak flooring with the words “The Difference Between Red Oak and White Oak Flooring Explained” above it.

There are a lot of hardwood flooring options out there, but certain species beat the rest when it comes to wood flooring applications.

White oak and red oak floors have been the standard for quite a while, but even though they both have oak in the name, they aren’t identical twins. There are some key differences, and if you’re considering red oak flooring or white oak flooring, those differences are important to know before you buy.

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White oak tongue and groove flooring.

Hardwood flooring that features tongue and groove boards is today’s industry standard, and for good reason. Even though flooring fads come and go, the popularity of tongue and groove wood flooring is nothing new. In fact, it’s been used since the Industrial Revolution. (For you non-history buffs, that was between the late 1700’s and mid-1800’s.) There are a lot of perks that come with this type of flooring, which makes it one of the only contenders for your hardwood flooring home improvement.

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A craftsman considering several wood types for woodworking.

It’s no secret that woodworking – even just as a hobby – comes with a lot of benefits. Not only do you end up with a beautiful DIY project (whether it be a handmade musical instrument, baseball bat or fine furniture), but it also leaves you feeling a zen-like calm.

No matter what the item might be, good DIY projects start with good building materials. And that means you have to be selective about what type of wood you’re using. It’s important to know how the different wood types stack up against each other when it comes to woodworking so that you can make the best choice for your project’s needs.

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This Old House Modern Barnhouse in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Modern barn home designs don’t have to be plain — Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods has products that help you bring a modern feel to this type of traditionally-styled house.

This Old House’s Modern Barnhouse Idea House, located near St. Paul in Afton, Minnesota, is a master class in designing with nature in mind while building for today’s style. This 2021 Idea House was the brainchild and dream home of Amy Matthews, and the plans she developed with D/O Architects Colin Oglesbay and Aaron McCauley-Aburto outlined a 3,800 square-foot barnhouse with an open floor plan and plenty of windows. The plans were brought to life by builder Chad Maack and his team at Hartman Homes.

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